FACT SHEETS

Integrated Pest Management

The pressures of maintaining a perfect yard have forced people to "over-maintain"
their landscapes. Over-watering and over-fertilizing can cause excessive
plant growth and improper mowing and pruning weakens plants and grass,
leaving them prone to pest damage.

Blanket pesticide application has become the quick-fix norm for lawn
maintenance. But the use of pesticides and insecticides is a one-dimensional
approach to pest management, resulting in environmental contamination,
pest resistance, and the destruction of beneficial insects.

The environmentally sound alternative to pesticide use is a combination
of pest control strategies known as Integrated Pest Management
(IPM). IPM promotes the use of the least toxic method of pest control, the use of pest-resistant plants, and the natural
enemies of pests.

IPM utilizes 5 components to reduce the risk of exposure of harmful
pesticides to people, animals, and the environment:

Biological component—the release and/or conservation
of natural enemies and beneficial organisms. Natural enemies (such
as ladybugs or mantids) can be purchased and released in pest-infested
landscapes. Landscapes can also be designed to provide habitat for
natural enemies.Meet the good guys!These
beneficial insects help keep pest populations under control.
Work with nature! Planting a variety of flowering plants in your landscape
can increase the population of beneficial insects that eats the harmful
insects.

Genetic component—the breeding of grasses
and plants that are resistant to key pests. When designing a landscape,
the selection of resistant plant species is an integral part of IPM.
Talk to a nursery specialist for more information about such plants.

Chemical controls—when chemicals are necessary,
choose a newer, more selective chemical such as a microbial insecticide
or insect growth regulator. Be sure to read all labels carefully and
follow the directions for proper application.

Spot treat
When chemical treatment is necessary, be sure to just treat the
affected plant or area. Indiscriminantly using chemicals is wasteful,
increases the amount of run-off, and kills both pests and beneficial
organisms. Following pesticide application, beneficial insect
populations are slow to rebuild.

Try soap and water first
Mix 2 ½ tablespoons of liquid dish soap with 1 gallon of
water in a spray bottle. Spray liberally onto affected plants
and reapply if necessary. For more natural pest control ingredients,
check out Natural Products for Insect Pest Management.

If you use a lawn-care service or pest control
company be sure to talk to them! Ask them for advance notice and
permission for chemicals to be sprayed near your home. Always ask
if safer alternatives are available.

Pest monitoring—understand the lifecycle
of a pest and know which plants and conditions it prefers.

Check your plants regularly
Make it a habit to walk around your yard every 2 weeks and look
closely at your plants. Identify pests and spot treat when necessary.

Treat problems early
The early stages of insect infestations can be hand picked or
pruned. Consult the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods handbook for a list of Common
Plant Pests and Least Toxic Controls (PDF), see page
69.

Common Florida Pest Insects

Florida’s
warm and humid climate creates a breeding ground for many pest
insects. Although annoying, they provide food for other insects
and animals. Be sure to use the least toxic method of pest management
when dealing with them.

Love
bugs. Although not native to Florida, these insects swarm
the roadways twice a year, usually in May and September. Both
sexes of the small black and red insects sit, crawl, and fly end-to-end
during the prolonged mating bout. Least toxic control: Bugs should be washed off cars as soon as possible to prevent
paint damage.

Fire ants. Florida hosts the imported fire ant that came from South America.
Their irregular sandy mounds can be up to 3 feet across and 2
feet high. Fire ants are aggressive defenders so treat them with
caution! Least toxic control: no control method permanently
eliminates fire ants. Non-chemical controls include pouring hot
water or a water and soap solution over mounds. Chemical controls
include baits found in stores.

Termites. These soft-bodied insects live in colonies that house hundreds
to thousands of individuals hidden in tunnels and burrows inside
wood or in the soil beneath rotting wood. Termites chew and swallow
wood but cannot digest it. Instead, microscopic organisms in their
guts break down the wood into basic nutrients the termites can
absorb. Least toxic control: above ground or in-ground baits.
Baiting is a hit-or-miss process because the termites must find
the baits themselves. If problems persist, contact a termite control
specialist.

Cockroaches. Of the many species that are found
in Florida, most normally occur outdoors, often in leaf litter
or decaying wood. Most roaches are scavenger, feeding on sugary
and starchy foods indoors and decaying plant matter outdoors.
They feed at night to avoid light. Least toxic control: boric
acid powder or roach tablets.

Mosquitoes. Florida hosts 69 species of mosquitoes. Hatching from tiny eggs
laid in standing water, only the females suck blood in order to
produce eggs. They fly most often when the air is moist because
hot air dries out their small bodies. Fortunately many other animals
eat mosquitoes including birds, spiders, and fish. Least toxic
control: Prevention begins with sanitation and elimination
of breeding sites. Clean debris from rain gutters, eliminate standing
water, and clean out birdbaths and pet dishes often.